Double Bass Best double bass you ever played? (DB FORUM THREAD)

[M.Wrenn]

I don't remember exactly what it was, but when I was buying my Laguna from Lemur I tried out a VERY old bass that was priced at around 40k I think. It was amazing.

 

[Don Kasper]

Set up probably. I played Linc Milliman's Prescott at Dave Gage's (he was picking it up after it had been in for a repair) and it played easily, spoke immediately and sustained like a church bell. But I was talking to Dave Finck, who owns a Prescott and another New England bass (Dearborn maybe?). But he plays a Juzek on gigs becuase the Prescott, in his words, "...is just too difficult to play. It sounds great, though."

Knowing Finck, he (most likely) actually said "...It sounds f***in' great, though."

 

[MaxJohnson]

Mark Helias' Barbe, Michael Bates' Bernadel, and just about every Jean Auray bass I've played.

 

[Don Higdon]

I sat in for a few tunes on Ron Carter's bass, a Juzek, I think. Tony Williams on drums.
I played Milt Hinton's bass when it was for sale at Arnold Schnitzer's shop.
They were good basses, but far from the end of the world.
I have played Lou Kosma's Lorenzelli (page 94 of Looking at the Double Bass, by Elgar) He plays it with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.

 

[Meestro1]

Ed Tait's Hawkes Panormo (took it to the ISB in June)
Tim Dawson's Montagnana

Next I hope to try Ray Brown's bass owned my another friend and member of the TSO.

 

[Altitude]

I played with a guy in Austin named Paul Spikes in the late 80s. He had an old Pollman; it felt like it played itself. I'll never forget it.

 

[bassics1975]

Ed Tait's Hawkes Panormo (took it to the ISB in June)
Tim Dawson's Montagnana

Next I hope to try Ray Brown's bass owned my another friend and member of the TSO.

Ed's bass is the real deal (Vincenzo Panormo late 18th C) and reputed to be once-owned by Dragonetti. It's not a Hawkes. Either way, it is one of the nicest basses I have ever played.

 

[SAlcott]

A Custode Marcucci from around 1900.

 

[bassphase]

My first bass instructor's Ceruti. Played liked butter and had a deep dark rich tone.

 

[Ed Fuqua]

I sat in for a few tunes on Ron Carter's bass, a Juzek, I think. Tony Williams on drums.

I am astounded that this has gone without comment.

 

[Vigilantelove]

My teacher's old German. I can't remember the maker, but I believe it was 100+ yrs old. Huge, beat up, old bass but incredible sound and playability. Again, same old story, but I have very fond memories of lessons on that bass.